KAKUNODATE and TAZAWA, and OGA PEN. PAGE 1/ 6

PG-204 KAKUNODATE and LAKE TAZAWA, AKITA and OGA PEN.

Lake Tazawa, Kakunodate, Oga Peninsula and Akita City are all developing fast as a new industrial city. included in . This district is blessed with natural The surrounding areas are known for their quality rice produc- wonders, which have been left undisturbed to this day. Abundant tion and forests of Akita Cedar.｠A｠bus network covers all the hot springs are natural blessings of the district, forming relaxing tourist spots, but service is not very frequent and in some areas hot spring spas here and there. Most of them are small and it is suspended during the wintertime due to heavy snow and a unsophisticated, giving you a chance to meet local people and cold climate. Also bus schedules often change with the season. It experience real country life. Akita City, the prefectural capital, is is well to remember this if you plan a trip to this district. Access: By Air To From Operated by Time required Daily flights One way fare (¥) Access from / to downtown Tokyo (Haneda) ANA 1 hr. 5 min. 4 20,500 Akita JAL 3 40 min. from / to Akita Sta. by bus Osaka JAS (Kansai or Itami) 1 hr. 25 min. 2 28,000 By Rail (JR) To From Type of train Time required Daily runs Fare (super or limited express charge included) (¥)

Morioka Tokyo/Ueno Tohoku 2 hrs. 30 min.– 45 13,640 (from Ueno Sta.) “” 3 hrs. 30 min. 13,840 (from Tokyo Sta.) Tokyo/Ueno 4 hrs.– 14 16,610 (from Ueno Sta.) “” 4 hrs. 15 min. 16,810 (from Tokyo Sta.) Akita Shinkansen 1 hr. 45 min. 14 4,500 “Komachi” Akita Limited express ( Line) Niigata (Niigata-Ueno in 3 hrs. 40 min. 3 7,020 2 hrs. 7 min. by Joetsu Shinkansen) Osaka Sleeping car 11 hrs. 45 min.– 2 13,970 + berth charge ranging from 6,300 to 13,350 “” 12 hrs. 30 min.

To From By Time required Daily runs Fare (¥) 35 min. (Akita Shinkansen) 17 1,980 Lake Tazawa Train from Morioka Sta. to Tazawako or or Sta. (JR ) 1 hr. (local train) 4 740 Morioka Bus to Tazawa-kohan bus terminal 15 min. 12 (Winter) 350 33–36 (Summer)

Bus from Morioka Sta. to Hachimantai- 1 hr. 40 min. 6 1,320 Morioka chojo (Apr.–Nov.) Change buses to Tazawako Sta. (Apr.–Nov.) 2 hrs. 22 min. 2–3 1,990 Akita Train (JR Akita Shinkansen) from Akita 1 hr. 15 3,280 Sta. to Tazawako Sta. Bus from Hachimantai-chojo bus stop to Hachimantai Tazawa-kohan bus terminal (operated 2 hrs. 10 min. 2–3 1,880 Plateau Apr.–Nov.) 55 min. (Akita Shinkansen) 2,770 Kakunodate Morioka Train (JR Tazawako Line) or 16 or 1 hr. 35 min. (local train) 1,110 Bus from Tazawako Sta. to Kakunodate- 35 min. 6 490 Eigyosho bus stop Lake Tazawa Local train (JR Tazawako Line) from 22 min. 7 320 Tazawako Sta. Train (JR Akita Shinkansen “Komachi”) 45 min. 15 2,940 Akita Bus from Akita Sta. to Kakunodate- 1 hr. 30 min. 7 1,330 Eigyosho bus stop * As for transportation to and within Oga Peninsula, please see the Oga Peninsula section. PAGE 2/ 6 KAKUNODATE and LAKE TAZAWA, AKITA and OGA PEN.

KAKUNODATE AND LAKE TAZAWA

[1] Kakunodate (角館) A castletown founded by the local Lord Ashina in 1620, is a ③ Weeping Cherry Trees (枝垂桜), combined with old small, charming town now called “Little Kyoto of Tohoku.” The houses, are a symbol of the town. Of more than 400 town, just the right size to be explored on foot, preserves many weeping cherry trees which are descendants of the trees 350-year-old samurai houses. Rental bicycles are available. transplanted from Kyoto about 300 years ago, 153 are desig- nated as Natural Monuments. ① The House of Aoyagi (青柳家), 15-min. walk from Kakunodate Sta., is a well-cared-for samurai house.｠Its gate, ④ The Denshokan Hall (伝承館), situated in front of samurai built in 1860, is designated as an Important Cultural Property. houses, serves as a museum and training center for cherry A 280-year-old weeping cherry tree is also in the garden. bark handicrafts. Visitors can see how handicrafts are made. Open: daily 8:30–17:00. (Apr.–Nov.), 9:00-16:00 (Dec.–Mar.) Open: 9:00–17:00 (Apr.–Nov.), 9:00–16:30 (Dec.–Mar.). Admission: ¥500. Other samurai houses those of the Open daily. Admission : ¥300. Ishiguro, Iwahashi, Matsumoto and Odano families are also open to the public. ⑤ Storehouse of the Ando family (安藤家の蔵), 15-min. walk from the station, is a merchant storehouse built of brick ② Arcade of Cherry Trees (檜木内川桜のトンネル), 20-min. in 1887. walk from the station along the Hinokinai River flowing through the town, is considered one of the best cherry blos- som viewing spots in the district in late Apr. [2] LAKE TAZAWA (田沢湖) The deepest lake in (423.4m) 46 and whose waters are the sec- ond most transparent after Lake Mashu in Hokkaido, is a classic Hinokinai River lake with a mystic atmos- 檜木内川 2 Arcade of CherrCherryy TTreesrees 0 300m phere, surrounded by the wide 檜木内川桜のトンネル The Denshokan Hall Kakunodate 伝承館 crest of a crater.｠The bronze Plaza Hotel Weeping CherrCherryy TTreesrees CherrCherryy Bark 4 Storehouse of Craft Center Town Office 3 枝垂桜 statue of the legendary Princess the Ando family Super- markmarketet 桜皮細工 1 The House of AoAoyagiyagi Tatsuko, standing on the western 安藤家の蔵 スーパー センター Samurai Houses Street 青柳家 shore, is a symbol of the lake. It 5 マーケット is reached in 35 min. by bus from Tazawa-kohan bus terminal. Sightseeing of the lake: Tenneiji TTempleemple By boat: excursion boat leaves 天寧寺 Hills from Shirahama (3-min. walk Kakunodate-Eigyosho Bus Stop To Omagari 角館営業所バス停 from Tazawa-kohan bus termi- 至大曲 Folkloro nal). 4 services a day. Operated Kakunodate from late Apr. to early Nov. JR TTazawakoazawako Line To Morioka 至盛岡 Kakunodate Station Fare: ¥1,170. Time: 40 min. to JRR田沢湖線田沢湖線 Kakunodate 角館駅 circle the lake. By bus: regular bus goes around Numbers 1 – 5 correspond to those on page 2/6 the lake from Tazawa-kohan bus terminal. 8 services a day. Fare: ¥1,100 (Apr.–Oct.). Tsuruno-yu Spa Tel. (0187)46-2139. (open Apr. 20–Nov. 10) By bicycle: 200 rental bicycles are available near Tazawa-kohan Taeno-yu Spa Tel. (0187)46-2740. bus terminal. Fare: ¥400 per hour. Ohgama Spa Tel. (0187)46-2438. Kaniba Spa Tel. (0187)46-2021. Tazawako Kogen Plateau (田沢湖高原), 30 min. by bus from Magoroku Spa Tel. (0187)46-2224. Tazawako Sta. via Tazawa-kohan bus terminal (13–14｠runs daily. Kuro-yu Spa Tel. (0187)46-2214. (open Jun. 1–Nov. 5) ¥580.) is located to the northeast of Lake Tazawa, on the way to Nyuto Spas. In winter, only a few buses go by way of Tazawa- Mt. Akita Komagatake (秋田駒ケ岳), altitude 1,637m, is a kohan. It is a picturesque lookout which commands an entire dormant volcano rising east of Lake Tazawa. Though it is the view of the lake. In winter the best powdered snow attracts highest mountain in Akita Prefecture, its ascent is easy since a many skiers. bus is operated to the eighth station on the trail from Tazawako Sta. (1 hr. 10 min. ¥810, Operated from May to Oct.) The sum- Nyuto Spas (乳頭温泉郷), 45 min. by bus from Tazawako Sta. mit is reached in 1 hr. on foot from the 8th station. The flower via Tazawa Kogen Plateau, (9 runs daily. ¥740.) are a series of fields near the summit, where a rich variety of alpine plants grow small, unspoiled mountain hot-spring spas, most of which have in clusters are designated as a Natural Monument. only one inn. The following are included in the Nyuto Spas; KAKUNODATE and LAKE TAZAWA, AKITA and OGA PEN. PAGE 3/ 6

AKITA CITY AND OGA PENINSULA

[1] Akita City (秋田市) down and rolls outside at the edge. The museum is noted for The prefectural capital with a population of 285,000, once its rich collection of the paintings of｠Tsuguharu Fujita thrived as a castletown under the reign of the Satake family dur- (1886–1968), as well as masterpieces by famous Western ing the . It is now the cultural and industrial center of artists. The building also includes the prefectural art museum. the northern Tohoku District with fine museums, wooden-ware Open: 10:00–17:30 (10:00–17:00, Oct.–Apr.) Closed on industry and productive oil fields. Mondays. Admission: ¥610 (adult), ¥200 (student).

① Senshu Park (千秋公園), 10-min. walk from Akita Sta., ③ Atrion (アトリオン), 5-min. walk from Akita Sta., is a good marks the site of the now-ruined Kubota Castle of the place to see and buy the specialties and folk crafts of Akita Satake family. Noted for the beauty of cherry blossoms and Prefecture. Open: 10:00–19:00.｠Closed on Second & Fourth azaleas in season, the park is a favorite relaxing spot for the Wed of each month. local people. A number of cultural facilities such as the pre- fectural library, prefectural and municipal art museums and ④ Kawabata Street (川反通り), 15-min. walk from Akita Sta., the prefectural public hall are located in the park. is the most lively and bustling quarter in Akita Prefecture. More than 1,000 pubs, bars and restaurants crowd the street ② Hirano Masakichi Art Museum (平野政吉美術館) in where you can enjoy drinking local brand sake and eating Senshu Park, identified by its particular architectural style— local specialties such as Shottsuru and Kiritampo. Japanese-palace-style roof covered with copper which slopes

to Seitai Hoshikai or the Handmaids Noshiro of the Holy Eucharist(聖体奉仕 Osumi- 会)The wood-carved sculpture of Our 5 Turret ↑ Lady housed in this catholic convent situ- 1 ated on a hill in the outskirts of Akita is Kanto Festival said to have shed tears many times from City Hall Kanto-dori 7 Center Satake Police Museum 1975 to 1981. Take a bus bound for Daiei 2 Prefectural Akita Onsen or Ninbetsu Resort Koen Office 8 3 Akita from No.4 Bus Stop in front of JR Akita 2 Bus Sta. 3 1 Terminal Station. A 20-min. ride to Yuzawa (湯 Akarenga-Kan Museum 沢), then a 10-min. walk. Ito- 4 Yokado City Akita Market

4 6

[2] Oga Quasi-National Park (男鹿国定公園) *1 17 runs daily...... Fare: ¥740 Oga Peninsula, jutting about 20km into the Japan Sea, just west *2 13 runs daily...... Fare: ¥550 of the Hachirogata Lagoon, is blessed with outstanding natural *3 leaves 9:30, 10:20, 11:45, 14:30. beauty—forests of Akita Cedar, grassy green hills and a varied Operated from late Apr. to Oct...... Fare: ¥1,650 coastline. Three pleasant toll roads run along the peninsula. Since *4 7 runs daily...... Fare: ¥330 regular bus service is not frequent and operated only during the *5 1 run daily...... Fare: ¥1,080 summer, a sightseeing bus may be the most convenient and easi- est way of getting to the tourist sites. 2. By sightseeing bus; operated by Akita Chuo Kotsu. Tel. (018) 823-4411 How To Go Around Oga Peninsula The tours start from Akita Sta., Oga Sta. or Oga Spa. No 55–70 min. 32 min. 50 min. English-speaking escort. See below. *1 runs late April.- early 1. Akita...... Oga Sta...... Monzen ...... Oga Aquarium November. *2 runs during Golden Week in May and late July JR *1 bus *2 boat *3 - mid August. Lunch is not included. 16 min. 1 hr. 50 min...... Oga Spa...... Akita bus *4 bus *5

Oga Peninsula Sightseeing Tour Buses Name of the Tour Time required Fare (¥) Major Stopping Spots

1 Akita Sta. West Exit - Mt. Kampu Overlook - Monzen - Toga - Kitaiso - “Hamanasu” * 7 hrs. 45 min. 5,150 Mayamajinjya Shrine - Namahage Museum - Akita Sta. West Exit. 2 Akita Sta. West Exit - Oga Sta. - Monzen - Oga Aquarium - Nyudosaki - Kitaiso - Mayamajinjya “Nagisa” * 8 hrs. 40 min. 6,450 Shrine - Namahage Museum - Mt. Kampu Overlook - Oga Sta. - Akita Sta. West Exit. PAGE 4/ 6 KAKUNODATE and LAKE TAZAWA, AKITA and OGA PEN.

7 Oga Quasi-National Park Kado Sta. 鹿渡鹿渡駅 Kotooka-cho Ogata-mura 琴丘町 大潟村 101 Koikawa Sta. Cape Nyudozaki Hachirogata-Lagoon 鹿渡鯉川駅 入道崎 八郎潟干拓地 Oga Spa Toga 男鹿温泉 戸賀 Hachibodai Mt. Kampu Hachirogata Sta. 八郎潟八郎潟駅 八望台 寒風山 Hachirogata-cho Akita PrefPrefecturalectural Oga Peninsula 八郎潟町 Oga AquariumAquarium 男鹿半島 県立男鹿水族館 Mt. HanzanHonzan JR Oga Line Nishi kaigan 本山 JR男鹿線 Tenno-cho (West Coast) Oga Sta. 天王町 西海岸 Mt. KenashKenashii 男鹿駅 Tenno Sta. 毛無山 天王駅 ShoShowamachiwamachi 昭和町 N MonzMonzenen Unosaki 門前 鵜ノ崎 Japan Sea Oiwake Sta. 日本海 追分駅 0 15km Tsuchizaki Sta. 土崎駅

Mt. Kampu (寒風山), alt. 355m on the foot of the peninsula, is from Hachirogata Station by taxi. an elegant-looking mountain covered all over with a grassy lawn, Annual Events: devoid of trees. The observatory on the top commands a splen- Kanto Festival (竿灯祭), held in Akita City on Aug. 3–6 is one did four directional view. of the three grand festivals of｠Tohoku. A “kanto” is a long bam- boo pole with several horizontal “ribs,” from which swing many Nishi Kaigan or West Coast (西海岸), indicating the coast paper lanterns. Festival clad young men parade in the city, trying from Monzen to Toga Bay, is a highlight of the Oga tour. The their skill at balancing “kanto” with their hands, on｠their fore- rugged scenery and dynamic beauty of the coast and its rock for- heads, shoulders or hips. mations can be best enjoyed by taking a sightseeing boat operat- Namahage (なまはげ) is a unique annual event observed in ed between Monzen and Oga Aquarium. Driving along the coast various places on Oga Peninsula on New Year’s Eve. At night, is also exciting. groups of young men disguised as ogres wearing angry devil’s masks called “Namahage” visit each house where there are chil- Akita Prefectural Oga Aquarium (県立男鹿水族館), the dren of the village, roaming and shouting “Any good-for-nothing biggest aquarium in northern Japan, contains more than 500 fellows around here?” Namahages are welcome to the house by species of fish and aquatic animals. Open: 8:30–17:30 (Apr.), the owner and treated to rice cakes and sake on leaving. 8:30–18:00 (May–Aug.), 8:30–17:30 (Sep. and Oct.), 8:30–16:30 (Nov.–Mar.). Enter 30 min. before closing time. Admission: ¥970. Suggested Trip Itinerary Oga, Kakunodate and Tazawako Route Oga Spa (男鹿温泉), on the north coast of the peninsula, serves 1st Day: as a base for peninsula sightseeing, offering a rich choice of 4 hrs. 15 min. 1 hr. 50 min. overnight accommodations. Ueno (Tokyo)...... Akita...... Oga...... Oga Onsen Akita Shinkansen train bus Cape Nyudozaki (入道崎), at the northwestern tip, has a gen- "Komachi" (JR Oga line) tly sloping plateau covered with green lawn which falls 30m 2nd Day: sheer into the sea. The black and white striped lighthouse is a 15 min. 50 min. 35 min. 1 hr. symbol of the cape. Oga Onsen ...... Oga Aquarium...... Monzen ...... Oga...... Akita bus sightseeing boat bus train (JR Oga Line) Hachibodai (八望台), 15 min. by bus from Cape Nyudozaki, is a 3rd Day: grassy plateau from which｠you can enjoy a marvelous view of 45 min. 22 min. 15 min. the underlying and the bay. Especially at twilight, the Akita...... Kakunodate...... Tazawako...... Lake Tazawa train train bus panoramic view will fascinate visitors. (JR Tazawako Line) (JR Tazawako Line)

Hachirogata-Lagoon ( ), once the second largest 15 min. 3 hrs. 15 min. 八郎潟干拓地 ...... Tazawako ...... Tokyo (Ueno) lake in Japan, has been reclaimed and is now a vast farm land of bus Akita Shinkansen 172km2. Highly mechanized modern agriculture in progress can "Komachi" be observed here. Ogatamura Village, newly constructed settle- ment, can be reached in 1 hr. 45 min. from Akita City or 30 min. KAKUNODATE and LAKE TAZAWA, AKITA and OGA PEN.. PAGE 5/ 6

Accommodations: Room rate Room rate Name of facilities Tel. (¥) Name of facilities Tel. (¥)

Kakunodate: Akita City: Kakunodate Plaza Hotel (BH) (0187)54-2727 5,200~ 1 Akita View Hotel (BH) (018)832-1111 8,800 Folkloro Kakunodate (H) (0187)53-2070 12,000~* 2 Hotel Pearl City Akita (BH) W (018)865-2111 5,800~ 3 Hotel (H) (018)834-1141 17,000 Lake Tazawa: 4 Akita New Grand Hotel (H) (018)834-5211 13,000~ Tazawako Youth Hostel (Y) (0187)43-1281 4,620 5 Ryokan Eitaro (R) (018)833-4151 12,000~ Tazawako Sunrise Hotel (R) (0187)43-0052 11,200 6 Ryokan Kohama (R) W (018)832-5739 8,400~ 7 Akita City Hotel (BH) W (018)863-2525 4,500 Tazawako Kogen Plateau: 8 Akita Sky Hotel (H) W (018)862-0501 12,000 Komagatake Kanko Hotel (R) (0187)46-2211 10,500~ Highland Hotel Sanso (R) (0187)46-2121 10,700~ Oga Spa: Tazawako Kogen Lodge (PL) (0187)46-2011 7,500 Oga Kanko Hotel (R) (0185)33-2121 15,000 Komakusa-so (PL) (0187)46-2101 6,230~ Seiko Grand Hotel (R) (0185)33-2131 12,000~ Kyukamura Tazawako Kogen (NPRV) (0187)46-2244 5,900~ Oga Hotel (R) (0185)33-3101 8,000~ Oga Grand Hotel (R) (0185)33-2151 10,000~ People’s Lodge Oga (PL) (0185)33-3181 6,770

Remarks: Standard rates are quoted. Accommodation rates are due to change by season or days. Please check the correct rates before you visit. Numbers 1 – 8 correspond to those on the map on page 3/6 H = Hotel Rate for a twin room. * Breakfast is included BH = Business Hotel Rate for a single room. R = Ryokan Rate per person including 2 meals, tax and service charge. Y = Youth Hostel Rate per person with 2 meals. M = Minshuku (family-run inn) Rate per person with 2 meals. PL = People’s Lodge Rate per person with 2 meals. NPRV = National Park Resort Village Rate per person with 2 meals. W = Welcome Inn member

Noshiro City 能代市

7 101 Lake Tazawa, Akita, and Oga Peninsula

Ogata-mura Akita-nairiku-jukan Line 線

秋田内陸縦貫鉄道 大潟村 本

Cape Nyudosaki Hachirogta 羽 入道崎 -Lagoon JR Ou Line

JR奥 Towada-Hachimantai 八郎潟干拓地 National Park Toga Wakamimachi 十和田八幡平国立公園 戸賀 Oga Spa 若美町 Hachirogata Hachirogta 男鹿温泉 Sta. 285 八郎潟 Gojome-kaido五城目街道 Oga Aquarium JR Oga Line 八郎潟駅 男鹿水族館 Oga Peninsula JRJR男鹿線 Gojome-machi 男鹿線 341 男鹿半島 Senkawa-kaido 五城目町

Oga City Monzen Oga Sta. 船川街道 男鹿市 105 門前 男鹿駅 Iidagawa-machi Nyuto Spas Oga Quasi-National Park Unosaki 乳頭温泉郷 男鹿国定公園 鵜ノ崎 飯田川町 Oiwake Sta. Mt.Taiheizan 追分駅 大平山 Mt. Akita Komagatake 秋田駒ヶ岳 Iwami Dam Matsuba Sta. Tazawako Kogen 岩見ダム 松葉駅 Plateau 田沢湖高原 Japan Sea Akita City Akita Sta. Lake Tazawa 日本海 秋田駅 田沢湖 秋田市 46 Tazawako Sta. 7 13 田沢湖駅 Tazawako-cho 田沢湖町 角館街道 Kakunodate-kaido Akita 46 Kakunodate-cho 秋 Tazawako田沢湖線 Line 田 Highway 角館町 自 動 0510 15km 車 Kakunodate Sta. 道 角館駅

PAGE 6/ 6 KAKUNODATE and LAKE TAZAWA, AKITA and OGA PEN.

The Welcome Inns comprise a range of accommo- W dations from hotels, business hotels, ryokan, minshuku and pensions to youth hostels. Most of them have guest rooms the charge for which is a modest ¥8,000 or less per night for a single room . Reservation for Welcome Inns is available through Inter- national Tourism Center of Japan (ITCJ). ————————————————————————————— Reservation before your departure for Japan TOURIST INFORMATION Visit ITCJ's website at http://www.itcj.or.jp or JNTO's at http://www.jnto.go.jp. Also your request by mail, fax or e-mail is accepted and processed at ITCJ’s head information (“i” Tourist Information Offices) office. To make a reservation, simply complete the Reservation Request Form available from your nearest JNTO offices and send it to the head office at least one week ahead by e-mail or fax, or three weeks ahead of your departure from Tazawako Tourist Information Center: home by mail. Confirmed flight booking required for application. Especially for JR Tazawako Station, Tazawako-machi, Senboku-gun, Akita Pref. your first night in Japan, we accept the reservation request only when you have a Tel. (0187)43-2111 firm booking on a flight arriving in Japan by no later than 7:00 p.m. 8:30-18:30(-17:30 irregularly) Reservation after your arrival in Japan Kakunodate Tourist Information Center: To take advantage of our service, you must appear in person at any of the 397-2, Aza Kami-sugesawa, Iwase, Kakunodate-machi, Senboku- Welcome Inn reservation counters located at the Tourist Information Centers gun, Akita Pref. (TICs) operated by JNTO (in Tokyo) or ITCJ (at Narita Airport and Kansai Tel. (0187)54-2700 Airport). 9:00-18:00(Apr.- Oct.); 9:00 -17:30 (Nov. - Mar.) Akita Ctiy Tourist Information Welcome Inn Reservation Center JR c/o International Tourism Center of Japan Tel. (018)832-7941 9th F1., Kanda Urban Bldg., 2-4-2, Kanda Tsukasacho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0048 19:00-19:00 Closed Dec. 31-Jan.3 Tel:03-3252-1717 Fax:03-3252-1521

All information contained in this leaflet is based on data as of January 2001. Partly revised in Janualy 2002. Transportation schedules, fares and accommodation charges are subject to change. Check with organizations concerned for updated information. © 2002 Japan National Tourist Organization. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Printed in Japan